Lily’s Diary
by Lily
January 2
Whew. I didn’t have to give back my tenants money, which they
paid me on the passthrough I was awarded by the rent board last
June—at least not yet. At a hearing held at Superior Court
the day before Proposition H was to take effect, the judge effectively
said, “whoa.” As a result of the legal bantering and jaw-dropping
flexibility on the part of the judge and the attorneys representing
the city, the whole thing was put on hold. But for the wrong reason,
in my humble opinion. It’s been stopped until the Rent Board
can work out regulations to implement its fair return requirement,
not because Prop. H is fundamentally unconstitutional. Well, it
is. Isn’t it? I mean, how can they work out fair return on
a small building the owners have kept up beautifully for years—with
many hours of sweat and sacrifice—because they thought it would
provide not only a home but a retirement income? Tell me the fair
return formula for that one.
January 12
It’s not just the twenty bucks I leave for each member of the
Sunset Scavenger crew at Christmas time. At least I don’t think
it is. A couple of years ago the crew chief told me that my recycling
cans were the cleanest on his route. True story. Over the course
of a long life, I have racked up a few accomplishments, but that
compliment still makes me feel… well… much better than
it should. And it can happen to you. I simply line those big cans
with black, three mil contractor’s bags that I get at Discount
Builders on Mission Street. Then, I insist that my tenants place
their garbage in tightly-closed plastic bags and to make sure the
top of the can is in place. When the cans are emptied, the black
liner stays. Every few weeks or so I wipe off the tops of the cans
(plastic) with Armor All. I also keep the area well-swept. Is that
so hard? You too can become a hero to your garbage man.
January 20
My friend Sally finally got enough documentation on a drug-abusing
tenant to start an eviction procedure. Yes, she had a lawyer. Well,
sort of. He wasn’t from the city and wasn’t that current
on our eviction laws. Well, it turns out that the amount due she
wrote on the eviction notice did not include a credit for the interest
the tenant had coming on his security deposit. You know, the annual
five percent. Now she’s back to square one. By the way, she
also found out that you shouldn’t include the late charge or
a returned check charge either. Those are other ways to invalidate
an eviction notice. Actually, I already knew that. You learn a lot
of stuff like that at the SFAA meetings if you come early and listen
to the lawyers’ panel.
February 5
Another contribution small property owners make to the city (that
they’re never thanked for) is goodwill work with immigrant
tenants. And it isn’t easy. There are vast differences in the
expectations of different nationalities. Let me give you an example.
The French couple in Apt. #1 moved out last week. They were a little
haughty but immaculate and intelligent. I overlooked the inconvenience
of receiving late rent, sometimes in travelers checks, and being
constantly asked for small favors such as using my fax, parking
in the driveway “oonly for a meenit,” accepting packages,
letting in cleaners, etc. When they gave their notice last month
our friendly relationship changed. They insisted that I pitch prospective
tenants on buying their drapes and bookcases, and by the way, could
I mention the dining room set? When I said I didn’t feel comfortable
doing that (for starters, the drapes were… well… skimpy)
they became furious and insisted that this was the obligation of
a landlord. Apparently it is—in France. And these people were
English-speaking, middle-class Europeans. Property owners with tenants
from more exotic parts of the world have far greater problems. In
many cases it is we who must familiarize them with customs of cleaning,
banking and fire codes, and help them to access medical care, schools
for their children, law enforcement and a range of other city services.
We do it willingly and are often remembered fondly for it. But the
point is, we do it.
Lily’s Diary is written by a longtime rental property owner who reserves the right to remain anonymous on the grounds that her tenants might gang up on her. The opinions are hers and do not necessarily represent those of the SF Apartment Magazine.